LOCKE’S PERFORMANCE PUTS PIRATES IN FIRST PLACE

CONWAY’S JEFF LOCKE PUT ON A PITCHING DISPLAY TO REMEMBER SUNDAY, PITCHING SEVEN SCORELESS INNINGS AGAINST THE CARDINALS IN ST. LOUIS AND EARNING HIS TEAM A 9-0 SHUTOUT WIN.

THE VICTORY PUTS PITTSBURGH IN FIRST PLACE IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CENTRAL DIVISION WITH A RECORD OF 15-10. THE TEAM’S 15TH WIN IN APRIL MATCHES ITS ALL-TIME FIRST MONTH RECORD.

LOCKE’S TEAMMATES SUPPORTED HIM WITH FOUR HOMERS – TWO FROM CATCHER RUSSELL MARTIN – AND A FIVE RUN 9TH INNING. LOCKE GAVE UP ONLY THREE HITS, WHILE WALKING TWO BATTERS AND STRIKING OUT FOUR. HIS ERA IMPROVES TO 2.83 AND HE’S NOW 3-1 ON THE SEASON.

THE “REDSTONE ROCKET” HAS NOW PITCHED 13 STRAIGHT SCORELESS INNINGS, GIVING UP A TOTAL OF JUST FIVE HITS WHILE STRIKING OUT 10 BATTERS.